By Nick Gerhardt
With reclassification taking place this season, the new Class B might look like the most familiar for amateur baseball fans. A scan across the new districts reveals a bevy of teams that routinely made up the field for the Class C state tournament. Long-established teams with a track record of success dot the landscape and will make for an interesting season with ultra-competitive playoffs across the state.
Our preseason rankings might look a lot like those of Class C last season but with the big exception of 2024 Class C state champion Waconia, which moved all the way up to Class A for 2025. That means a new champion for Class B this season and a whole lot more.
We tapped our team of experts for their thoughts once again. Each has put together rankings for the past several seasons, but with Northfield “dropping” to Class B, we bring on Aldon Severson for his analysis. It’s a slightly different scene for him and the Knights this year.
Our pollsters leaned on last year’s Class C state tournament results and the track record of clubs to put together their first rankings of the season. It’s with little doubt that last season’s Class C runner-up Jordan begins 2025 as the top team in Class B. The 2023 Class C runner-up Bird Island follows the Brewers at the No. 2 spot and that team that many have picked to race to a title, Young America clocks in at No. 3 to start the year.
Buffalo, after an impressive 2024 state tournament, caught the attention of our rankers to take the No. 4 spot while a pair of Victory League titans Sobieski and Buckman share the No. 5 spot.
The Cold Spring Springers, a dominant team in the former Class B state tournament, find themselves at the No. 7 spot and will be a team to watch in this iteration of Class B. Fairmont, a 2024 quarterfinalist and the 2020 Class C state champion, laid claim to the No. 8 spot. Another perennial state tournament contender, New Ulm, figures in at No. 9 and the 2017 Class C champion Kimball slotted in at No. 10.
Aldon Severson — Northfield Knights
The 2025 amateur baseball season is coming in hot, and with the new Class B alignment, expect fireworks all summer long as teams eye a spot in Brownton, Hutchinson, Gaylord and Glencoe. Some teams are fired up about the reclassification, others — not so much. Based on 2024 state tourney results and legacy performances from the former Class B and C squads, here’s the first look at the heavy hitters of the new Class B (enjoy the wordplay):
1. Jordan Brewers — Last summer’s Class C runners-up are hungry for another deep run. With unfinished business on their minds, Jordan’s brewing something big in 2025.
2. Buffalo Bulldogs — They clawed their way to the final four in 2024, falling only to the eventual champs. Buffalo’s bite is just as bad as its bark — and they’re back for more.
3. Young America Cardinals — The Cards flew under the radar into the 2024 semifinals but won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year. A legit title contender.
4. Bird Island Bullfrogs — Hopped into the tournament and made serious noise before getting tripped up by Waconia. Don’t sleep on the Frogs.
5. Fairmont Martins — Fairmont played deep into Labor Day, losing a 1-0 heartbreaker to YA.
6. Buckman Billygoats — Great name. Better ballclub. Knocked off New Ulm and Webster last year before running into the buzzsaw that is Jordan. Don’t be surprised if the Goats make a run.
7. New Ulm Brewers — Rumor has it they swing lumber and slam beers with the best of ’em. If the Brewers get hot, look out.
8. Union Hill Bulldogs — Year in, year out, they show up and show out at the state tournament. Two wins in 2024 and a chip on their shoulder after losing to YA.
9. Cold Spring Springers — They’ve been a Class B powerhouse since the dawn of time. A preseason No. 9 might be bulletin board material for the fellas — time will tell.
10. Northfield Knights — Is this a hometown vote? You bet. The Knights have spent much of the last decade contending in the Class B state tournament coming out of Section 1B, arguably the state’s toughest.
Honorable Mention: Kimball Express, Red Wing Aces, Watkins Clippers.
Kip Kovar – Herald Journal
1. Young America Cardinals — The Cardinals made a run to the Class C semifinals last season despite the offense not being at its best. Despite that, Young America was still one of the final four teams alive on Labor Day weekend. The Cardinals are still loaded with talent and are right in their prime with the pieces to make another deep postseason run.
2. Jordan Brewers — Last year’s Class C runner-up. Jordan would still be a team to watch despite moving up to Class B. The Brewers are a veteran group, looking to avenge last year’s loss in the state title game.
3. Buckman Billygoats — A perennial state title contender in Class C the past decade. I like the Billygoats to be a team to watch once again this year up in Class B. They’ve been knocking on the door the past few seasons and this is the year they hope to knock it down.
4. Bird Island Bullfrogs — Another perennial state tournament team the past few seasons, Bird Island is in the same boat as the Buckman Billygoats. The Bullfrogs have had some impressive runs the past few seasons but none have been capped off with a state title. They’ll look for this year to be the year to change that.
5. Luverne Redbirds — A team that has found success in stretches, the Redbirds could be a sneaky team to watch this year. A loaded lineup with a ton of talent, Luverne is hoping to get back to making some noise this season.
6. Buffalo Bulldogs — It was a breakout season for the Buffalo Bulldogs a year ago reaching the state semifinals. One of the most explosive lineups in the state, keep an eye on them again this year.
7. Bluffton Braves — The Braves are back after being ineligible for the postseason last year. In 2023 they made a run to the semifinals after beating hometown Delano in the quarterfinals. An experienced group with a chip on its shoulder, the Braves are a team to keep an eye on this season.
8. Watertown Red Devils — In 2021 and 2022, the Watertown Red Devils were dubbed one of the best teams in the state after back-to-back state tournament runs. Things haven’t gone the way the Red Devils have liked in 2023 and 2024 as they missed the state tournament both years. Despite that, the Red Devils are still loaded and have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the state once again.
9. Delano A’s — Delano has been one of my top teams every week for the past couple of seasons. An already respected organization, it’s been on the rise even more for the past couple of seasons. After missing the state tournament last season, the A’s are looking to get back this season and make some more noise. They would be much higher on my rankings if they still had Max Otto to lead the pitching staff. That’s a lot of innings to replace this year but Delano has the talent elsewhere to overcome that.
10. New Ulm Brewers — A perennial team in my rankings. New Ulm often gets overlooked playing in the Tomahawk East League but I like them to be a top team once again this season.
Aaron Worm — Mankato
1. Sobieski Skis
2. Cold Spring Springers
3. Jordan Brewers
4. Young America Cardinals
5. Bird Island Bullfrogs
6. Buckman Billygoats
7. Fairmont Martins
8. Kimball Express
9. Buffalo Bulldogs
10. New Ulm Brewers
Tom Elliott — West Central Tribune
1. Jordan Brewers — These guys have been a really good Class C team, obviously.
2. Bird Island Bullfrogs — As long as the Bullfrogs’ core young guys hang around, these guys will be really good.
3. Sobieski Skis — These guys were a great C team and a very good B team under the old rules. Definitely a contender.
4. Buffalo Bulldogs — These guys should be good.
5. Raymond Rockets — This is a team with a nice mix of veterans and good young players.
6. Cold Spring Springers — This will be one of the older teams in the state, but also a very good one.
7. Kimball Express — This is another veteran squad with a lot of long-time, excellent players.
8. New Ulm Brewers — I expect these guys to be in the state tournament.
9. Fairmont Martins — This is another team with a very good resume in its Class C days.
10. Young America Cardinals — Another team I expect will be good.
Class B preseason rankings (As of April 24)(Pts)
1. Jordan Brewers (37)
2. Bird Island Bullfrogs (29)
3. Young America Cardinals (26)
4. Buffalo Bulldogs (23)
5. Buckman Billygoats (18)
5. Sobieski Skis (18)
7. Cold Spring Springers (16)
8. Fairmont Martins (12)
9. New Ulm Brewers (9)
10. Kimball Express (7)
Also receiving votes: Union Hill Bulldogs, Northfield Knights, Luverne Redbirds, Bluffton Braves, Watertown Red Devils, Delano A’s, Raymond Rockets, Red Wing Aces and Watkins Clippers.
